West Warwick council reviews proposed FY2027 budget as managers seek $6.6M increase, schedules hearings

WEST WARWICK — The Town Council on Tuesday evening began reviewing the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which the town manager said would raise total spending by about $6,600,000 and include changes that could affect taxpayers and local services.

The town manager told the council the proposal includes “a little more than $4,100,000 in municipal expenses, $1,900,000 for school state aid pass through appropriation and a request to increase the school department’s local appropriation,” and flagged a proposed levy increase of roughly 4% — about $2.8 million — with an estimated tax-rate change near 4.15%.

Why it matters: The manager said rising pension, health insurance and other contract-driven costs are driving much of the pressure on the operating budget, and the proposal uses $1,500,000 of fund balance — including $1,000,000 to cover anticipated litigation costs and $500,000 to address the school department’s request — to balance the proposal ahead of the hearings and final vote.

Department overviews and details

The Fire Department presented a $16,209,684 FY2027 request, which the chief said is roughly a 4% increase from last year and is driven in part by overtime costs after a string of unanticipated retirements. The chief said two additional positions will be added on July 1 to staff a third rescue unit and described a preliminary damage assessment submitted for federal aid of about $302,000; if a federal declaration and approvals are granted, he estimated roughly 75% reimbursement (about $220,000).

The police department said an initial requested increase of about $100,100 was pared to a proposed $36,100 after discussions with the town manager. The police presenter said most increases are tied to contractual salary and benefit obligations and that modest growth is proposed for training, fleet maintenance and the animal-control shelter; the department reported ongoing recruitment with three recruits currently in the academy and plans to request seats for an additional academy class.

The library director described results from a community survey and highlighted programs such as summer lunch distribution, partnerships with Thundermist for a mobile medical unit, AARP tax-assistance and a FeedRI food pantry; the director said a requested salary increase would help part-time and full-time staff move closer to median pay and would reflect a mandated minimum-wage increase for many positions.

Capital, grants and debt

Capital requests were described as relatively small and easier to cut than operating items, the manager said, but he urged seeking alternative funding (including opioid-settlement funds) where possible and cautioned that rising asphalt prices could push local paving projects beyond state reimbursement formulas. Debt service is expected to rise by just under $1.2 million, the manager said, largely reflecting the new school construction bond that passed last year.

Next steps and procedural notes

The town manager said the council is tentatively targeting a May 5 meeting for a final budget vote. Council members scheduled two public hearings — one in a week and a second hearing two weeks from now — where the public can comment and the council can make amendments during the hearings. A voice vote to adjourn Tuesday’s workshop carried; exact vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

Key quotes

“The total budget increase is approximately $6,600,000,” the town manager said, summarizing the arithmetic driving the proposal.

“The $16,209,684 budget is just over about a 4% increase from last year,” the fire chief said when presenting the department’s request.

“Our initial budget submission included a total increase of $100,100. However, after discussion in a collaborative effort with the town manager, we were able to significantly reduce that number… the current proposed increase for fiscal year 2027 is $36,100,” the police presenter said.

What to expect next: The council will take public testimony at the two scheduled hearings and may amend the proposal before the tentative May 5 vote; interested residents can attend the hearings to comment on specific line items and department requests.